idiom · neutral
a penny saved is a penny earned
UK/ə ˈpɛni seɪvd ɪz ə ˈpɛni ɜːnd/US/ə ˈpɛni seɪvd ɪz ə ˈpɛni ɜrnd/a·pen·ny·saved·is·a·pen·ny·EARNED
A proverb saying that saving small amounts is worthwhile because they add up.
Examples
“My grandmother always said, 'A penny saved is a penny earned,' so I try to save a little every week.”
“If you set aside a bit each month, you'll find a penny saved is a penny earned.”
“He lives frugally because he believes a penny saved is a penny earned.”
Band 8 sentence
“Although the amounts are small, a penny saved is a penny earned — those regular contributions built a solid emergency fund.”
Collocations
- use as advice
- follow the proverb
Word family
Common mistakes
A penny saved is penny earned→A penny saved is a penny earned
A penny save is a penny earn→A penny saved is a penny earned
Say it for a higher band
5save money→6put money aside→7+a penny saved is a penny earned
Synonyms
save money
Easily confused
money doesn't grow on trees
“Money doesn't grow on trees, so I try not to spend impulsively.”
Related words
Learn this word with the rest of its set, and get reminded at the right time.
In Money
Learn it with its set